winter brides

Winter Brides

Call 780-532-1110 • dailyheraldtribune.com

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

2 Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune • Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Winning with winter weddingsMichael Sutherland-ShawHerald-Tribune staff

Can you say ‘I do’ without the summer sun?

Some couples are being more wallet friendly by exchanging vows during the off-season – they are also taking advantage of a unique wedding experience.

“Every bride wants to make their wedding and their guests wedding experience unique. Something dif-ferent, and one thing with the win-ter weddings that they have the lux-ury of doing is playing o� the idea of the snow,” said Melanie Best, owner of Affordable Elegance in Grande Prairie.

Best said over the last few years she has noticed a real shift in the growing popularity of winter wed-dings as people are beginning real-ize the additional benefits. One thing unique to Grande Prairie and surrounding areas is the growing trend to have the ceremony out-doors, in the snow.

Best recounts a recent wedding in the city where the couple basi-cally chiselled themselves an aisle

and a ceremonial site in a fresh blanket of snow because, “Eve-rything about the wedding was played off with them showing up on a horse pulled sleigh while eve-ryone was dressed in white wraps and faux-fur look.”

As this was a unique event, Best said even if the ceremony is not done outdoors the majority of winter weddings will at least take photos outdoors in an attempt to encapsulate the wonders of the season.

“People in our area will sacri� ce for a photo with the best captured moment possible,” said Best who adds, “I think our brides and our guests are willing to go that extra mile to be a bit di� erent and be out in the cold, not just the snow.”

Winter wedding in GPWith a large percentage of

Grande Prairie residents working in the industrial and trades sector winter weddings can be more fea-sible as workloads tend to lessen during the winter months giving them more time to focus on wed-ding preparations.

Best adds as long as the cou-ple separates their ceremony from Christmas parties, the number of events during the o� -season is a lot less – giving you more options for venues and amenities.

As the hub for most of the sur-rounding areas, Best said people need to either be � exible with dates and venues or give at least a years notice when it comes to booking events like a wedding in the city. Grande Prairie has limited avail-ability when it comes to facilities and amenities, which is especially prevalent in the spring and sum-mer months, so booking a win-ter wedding offers couples more options as there is less competition with regards to events.

As a lot of residents in Grande Prairie � nd it di� cult to go on vaca-tion because of the distance and costs – the winter wedding allows couples to take time and go some-where tropical for a warm destina-tion honeymoon, while also not having to break the bank as resorts and hotels tend to o� er deals dur-ing the winter months.

Winter décorBest said the most important

facet of a winter wedding is try-ing to bring the outdoors, inside – making the venue feel like a win-ter wonderland. By adding the frost look, a room can be instantly trans-formed.

She adds that one of the most popular colour schemes is black and white. Couples also enjoy clean, classic, elegant lines. In addition Best said purples have held strong as well as damasked prints and monochromatic colour schemes.

One of the biggest shifts Best has noticed during the last few years has been the shift towards the allo-cation of the wedding budget into di� erent facets of decorations.

“Chair covers have seen a great increase in our area in the last three years,” she said adding that chair covers can change the entire feel and mood of a room.

Couples are no longer focus-ing on perimeter and room décor, rather they are focussing their budget on table décor both head and guests tables.

Though Best said these are not new trends by any means just unique shifts when it comes to Grande Prairie.

So when thinking about popping the question this year, why not also start thinking about making it a winter wonderland.

SUPPLIED PHOTOWendy Lewicki and husband Michael were married in the Mayan Riviera, Mexico in early January.


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Grande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune • Tuesday, January 18, 2011 3

Briony SmithSpecial to QMI Agency

You’ve got the dress. You’ve got the shoes. Now, for the finishing touch – your headpiece. For a long time, your only option was the tra-ditional veil, or perhaps a princess-style tiara. But recent seasons have seen the rise of other headpieces, from birdcage veils and cocktail hats to vintage-inspired fascinators and feathers, feathers, feathers.

“Brides today want to look bold and modern. It’s more about being chic, and fashion-forward, rather than having the whole princess look,” according to The Wedding Planners Institute of Canada presi-dent Danielle Andrews Sunkel.

Andrea Anastasiou, owner of high-end bridal boutique White Toronto, says that brides are tak-ing their cues from the runways, whether it’s sparkly headbands or vintage jewellery woven in the hair.

Here are some more topper trends for you to try!

TIP! Be sure to bring your head-piece to your stylist for your wed-ding hair consultation so they can plan around it and incorporate it into your style.

Birds of a featherIf it’s good enough for Carrie, it’s

good enough for us. Sarah Jessica Parker’s brilliant turquoise spray of vintage feathers (and small bird) in the 2008 Sex and the City film’s wedding scene signalled that a new bridal trend had taken wing.

“The feather is coming back in a big way, whether it’s a fascina-tor with French veiling behind it to reinforce a more vintage-inspired look, or a large plume that jaun-tily sits atop the head with whimsy. Brides are looking to be chic and set themselves apart,” Anastasiou says.

TIP! This fancy style looks great with the ever-popular strapless

dress, as it balances out the sim-plicity of that neckline. “I think you want to look at the scale of what you are wearing, and the styling,” says Anastasiou. “A bias dress that is clean and simple can benefit from a bit of drama at the head, whether it’s a vintage comb that nestles into a hairstyle, or a feather fascinator that adds drama and texture.”

Hats onBrides in past decades wore

hats on their big day – it’s just as fresh today and is becoming popu-lar with brides in search of a more daring look. A pillbox hat, a cloche hat, or even a miniature top-hat

all bring an old-fashioned cocktail flair and elegance to your wedding ensemble. These look especially good with a tight updo or loose chi-gnon, Andrews Sunkel says. You can either find an actual vintage piece, or buy a new one from a local milliner.

TIP! Canada has a few excel-lent milliners, including Montreal’s Ophelie Hats (OphelieHats.com) and Toronto’s Lilliput Hats (Lilliput-Hats.com).

FascinatedFascinators are headbands, clips,

or combs adorned with feathers, flowers, fabric, or beading. These

headpieces are a big hit with the fashion-savvy bride--high-end bridal runways and editorials have been absolutely filled with them. Lori-Anne Krausewitz of LaKrause Headwear has definitely seen a huge surge in bridal clients looking for something unique for their big day. “They want something made just for them,” she says.

TIP! If you go for a custom-made headpiece, you can add your own precious elements, such as a vin-tage piece of jewellery or family heirloom, according to Krausewitz.

BejewelledJewellery – and especially vin-

tage pieces – can do double-duty in your hair, too. Andrea Anastasiou of White Toronto suggests:

• Necklaces woven as hairbands• Deco brooches worn at the back

to fasten a chignon or polish off a soft sideswept do

• Vintage dress clips to accent a chic updo

“These are pieces that inherently have character and will endure way past the wedding,” she says. “It’s about personalizing your look with pieces that no one else has with one-of-a-kind-adornment. ”

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The “Eloise” headband available exclusively in Toronto at White.

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Cou nt less det a i ls beg you r attention as you plan your spe-cial day, but taking care of yourself should be at the top of your to-do list. It will help you deal with stress while ensuring you’re at your crea-tive peak and have the strength to avoid your worst temptations.

“ W h e n p e o p l e g e t r e a l l y stressed, their creative centre gets lost and they begin to panic – the � ght or � ight response,” says Michael Haggstrom, a psycho-therapist who o� ers pre-marriage counselling in Calgary.

Feeling on edge, tense, fatigued, worried or indecisive? Those are all signs of stress. You may also find yourself procrastinating or giving into addictive behaviours, such as overeating or hardly eat-ing at all.

W h e n y o u r f i g h t o r f l i g h t i nst i ncts k ick i n, ta ke a deep breath. “Give yourself a break from the stresses and then go back and start to problem solve,” says Haggstrom.

Too often, couples consumed by

all that needs to be done neglect themselves when they should, in fact, be scheduling more time for themselves – whether that means taking a walk or scheduling a mas-sage.

“You’ll be sharper and will waste less time,” says Haggstrom.

Tack le challenges instead of avoiding them. Worried about how to tell your mother you don’t want to wear her wedding gown, for example? Be up front while acknowledging her feelings, says Haggstrom.

He suggests a conversation that goes something like this: “I know you’d like me to wear your wed-ding dress but I’ve decided to pick out my own dress. How can I help you feel honoured at my wedding in a way that would still be mean-

ingful to us both?”On the way to the altar, you and

your � ancé will likely see the best and worst in one another, but use it as an opportunity to learn more about the love of your life. “You may discover your partner is a people pleaser, avoids con� ict and gets angry when unable to solve a problem,” says Haggstrom.

“Rather than see ever y thing under a negative light when their weaknesses come out, notice their humanity and appreciate it. See how you can learn to love them more in that space and problem solve together.”

Timing and budget are a few of the biggest stresses couples face when planning their nuptials, notes Alison McGill, editor in chief of Weddingbells magazine.

“Depending on the size and type of wedding you are having, it takes a lot of time to plan and exe-cute and some couples � nd that a big strain.”

If that’s the case, she suggests hiring a wedding planner.

Budget is also a common stress because it can quickly spiral out of control. Set a magic number at the beginning of your wedding planning and stick to it, McGill advises. Determine your nego-tiables and non-negotiables and spend accordingly.

When it comes to coping with wedding day stress, McGill o� ers a simple tip: “Remember to keep the day in perspective and realize this is your party and you should enjoy it. Try to create an organized task list to keep planning on track and also don’t sweat the small stu� .

“Everything will get done and handled and chances are if there are a few things that don’t hap-pen or go according to plan on you wedding day, only you will notice,” says McGill.

“Your guests will be busy enjoy-ing your great celebration and you should too.”

Bust your stress with one of the following:

1. Exercise, advises Christen Harvey of Bridal Bootcamp. “When we exercise, we release ‘feel good’ hormones called endorphins. Endorphins are responsible for zapping corti-sol (the destructive stress hor-mone) and give you a natu-ral high. This leaves you with more energy and a renewed spirit to keep on planning. It’s actually harder on your body and mind to not exercise in times of stress.”

2. Knead away your worries with a stress-melting mas-sage.

3. Make like an upward fac-ing dog and discover yoga. Its deep breathing brings more oxygen into the body, boost-ing the immune system and quieting the mind. As an added benefit, yoga’s breath-ing techniques will help you ward o� jitters and tension on the big day.

4. Boost your self-esteem with beauty treatments. Book a facial. Test drive your wed-ding day makeup and hair-style.

Feeling bridezilla?

Learn to manage stressRather than see everything under a negative light when their weaknesses come out, notice their humanity and appreciate it. See how you can learn to love them more

in that space and problem solve together.”

Michael Haggstrom, a Calgary-based psychotherapist


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Have you ever dreamed of getting married on a gondola in Venice or somewhere along the Great Wall of China? Getting married abroad has become a trend among brides and grooms who are looking to create a one-of-a-kind wedding experience, not only for themselves, but also for their wedding guests. Saying your “I dos” outside the Greek Parthenon or beside the Leaning Tower of Pisa can be a memory-filled event, but it can also be fraught with complica-tions if you’re not prepared.

According to Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada, cou-ples should take the time to con-tact the local embassy or consu-late in the country they will be mar-ried in prior to planning their wed-ding. These Canadian government offices can assist couples in mak-

ing sure certain rules and regula-tions are met. Though most foreign marriage regulations and practices are the same worldwide, it is best to cover all your bases before the big day, rather than face an unexpected and unplanned-for problem.

“We had debated for quite a while the idea of getting married abroad long before we finally decided to do it,” says Chris Maki, a Vancouver-based respiratory therapist.

“My wife’s family was from Greece and we wanted the wedding to be like a fairytale, so we got all the things we needed in order and flew over to Athens. Some of our fam-ily wasn’t able to make it because of the location, but in the end, the wedding was a dream come true. It certainly was a bit more challeng-ing to orchestrate compared to a wedding in Canada, but the memo-ries I have of it make the headache of planning it worthwhile.”

Most countries require couples

have valid Canadian passports, as well as a certificate issued by their home province or territory stating that there are no legal restrictions to their getting married in the coun-try they have chosen. This certifi-cate must be issued and received in Canada before departing and is one of the most important parts of plan-ning a wedding abroad.

“Waiting for the paperwork to come through was definitely stress-ful,” Maki says. “Even though you know there is no reason why you wouldn’t be allowed to get mar-ried, you can’t help but think some-thing might go wrong. When you’re not dealing with your own country, you worry a little. It was also a pain,

because in addition to the docu-ments we needed just to get mar-ried in Greece, we also had to give the church copies of our birth cer-tificate and baptismal records. It was a bit of a waiting game, but it all worked out just fine.”

Marriages that are legally per-formed abroad are, under most cir-cumstances, valid in Canada and do not need to be registered upon returning to Canada. Though there are always exceptions to the rule, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada suggests contacting Vital Statistics Canada in the prov-ince and territory you reside in, in order to find out the legal status of your soon-to-be nuptials.

“Planning a wedding in another country can seem daunting, but it’s really not that hard,” says Maki. “I think a lot of couples shy away from it, because they assume it’s more work than it is. It does require some attention to detail, but in the end you not only get a memorable wed-ding, you also get an instant honey-moon.”

supplied photoFraser and Kathy Bunn of Mississauga, ont., were married on November 25, 2010 at Riu Negril in Jamaica.

supplied photoFraser and Kathy Bunn will never forget having their ceremony on the beace looking out onto the ocean.

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Carolyn McTigheSpecial to QMI Agency

Whether you choose a seaside resort or a tropical retreat, there is one thing all newlyweds can count on when planning for their honey-moon – the cost. There are honey-moons, however, that do not need to break the bank. Fun-filled, excit-ing getaways that will allow you to not only enjoy your first trip together as man and wife, but will also keep you free from financial worry. Here are a few cost-cutting tips and ideas to make your honey-moon fabulous and wallet friendly.

AccommodationsTake the time to research where

you’ll be staying. If you plan on staying at a luxury resort or hotel, make sure to investigate online deals or packages they may offer. Many hotels and resorts offer dis-counted rates when booking online or during off-season periods. There are also hotels and resorts that offer all-inclusive deals like San-dals, Club Med, and Viva resorts.

Though popular, these locations will cover your entire honeymoon experience.

Also try to think outside the standard “hone ymo on” box . Choose locations that aren’t your typical honeymoon destination. Hotels and resorts that see many newlyweds throughout the year

tend to charge more, so look for unique places to stay. Bed and breakfasts are a great alternative to posh hotels. With varied prices and accommodations that range from simple to luxurious, couples will spend much less on a well-estab-lished B&B than any high profile hotel or resort.

Consider “off season”Though it may not coincide with

your June wedding, waiting a few months to travel during off-sea-son will save you a few bucks. Sum-mer is the peak travel season and the time when most just-married couples plan to spend a few weeks lounging along the white sand beaches of Cancun, Mexico. By waiting until the fall, you not only open the door to off-season deals, you also ensure the availability of the locations you’re longing for.

Hit the high seasAccording to many people who

have gone on a cruise, there is no better way to travel. With delicious food to indulge in, activities galore, and the beauty of the scenery around you, what could be better?

Though a cruise may seem expensive at first glance, the truth is they’re more economical than you might think. Most cruises are all-inclusive, which means that the price includes the accommoda-tions, food, drinks and entertain-ment. There are also cruises that are considerably less money than

others. Excursions to Alaska and along the California coastline are cheaper than longer voyages, and still offer all the delights that more expensive cruises offer.

When choosing a cruise, make sure you read online reports and reviews by travellers. Some cruises tend to have an older population of guests and the activities on board reflect that. Find a cruise that will not only appeal to your over-all sense of travel, but will be best suited to your age group.

Stay close to homeThe closer you stay to home, the

cheaper your honeymoon will be. Research places near your city that you and your spouse have yet to visit. Plan excursions and activities that will allow you to spend time together and do things you haven’t done before.

If you save money on travel costs, then indulge in things like hotels, food and activities. Ask friends and relatives to give you suggestions about places you could visit and browse tourism and city websites for more ideas.

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supplied photoNothing compares to the rest and relaxation one faces when they can sit back and look into the infinite abyss that is the ocean.


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Grooms are complicated beasts. They get sweaty palms, they freak out and really couldn’t care less about floral arrangements. Brides shoulder the vast majority of wed-ding planning responsibilities. But that doesn’t mean grooms can’t do their fair share, too.

Managing a reluctant groom’s involvement in a wedding, though, can be a tricky a� air.

For Connie Grace, a professional bridal consultant from Banff, Ab., it’s about finding something that grooms are interested in.

“Flowers bore the heck out of guys,” she said. “Try to approach him in a manner that’s appealing to him.”

� e way she sees it, grooms have opinions just as much as brides do. But because they’re often over-worked, stressed out and don’t really know where to start, a lot of grooms hang out on the sidelines when it comes to planning their big day.

But don’t forget, it’s their big day, too.

“You don’t want surprises as a groom. You want to be involved,” she said. “What I tend to do is CC the groom on every little thing until they say stop.”

That helps to define where their interests lie and where their input might be most valuable. But some things, like seating arrangements, guests lists and menus need the groom’s attention, whether he wants to give it or not.

Grace has a strategy for that, too.“Guys are tech savvy a lot of the

time,” she said. “Try to approach him in a manner that’s appealing to him.”

“I always ask for Skype sessions and I do ask if at all possible for the couple to join me on the Skype ses-sion “Skype is more interesting than a phone call.”

But it’s also important to real-ize that reluctance to be involved in wedding planning can also stem f r o m o t h e r i s s u e s . L o n g work hours, busy travel schedules and even long-distance rela-tionships lead many couples t o s p l i t w e d -ding-planning responsibilities on purpose.

Sometimes, the groom even takes over the whole a� air.

Grace worked with one couple where the bride was a real estate

broker. With long hours at work and a lot of time on the road, she wasn’t in a position to be as involved as she would like in her own wedding. So her now-husband took the steering wheel and organized their day.

For many grooms who aren’t as involved in wedding planning, the same reasons can come forward.

“What it comes down to for most of our grooms is the time factor,”

Grace says. “� ey’re super busy. � e ones that are resist-ant, they’re working 10-12 hour days. They just want to relax when they get home.

“I think as long as you let them know that you understand how busy they are, they tend to soften up a lit-tle bit. ”

broker. With long hours at work and a lot of time on the road, she wasn’t in a position to be as involved as she Grace says. “� ey’re

SUPPLIED PHOTOGetting the groom involved can ease the stress and aggravation of preparing for a wedding.

Getting the groom involvedGrande Prairie Daily Herald-Tribune • Tuesday, January 18, 2011 7

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