Our Editors' Picks

One out of four weddings is a destination wedding. And what's the most popular destination? The beach, of course. Whether you are hosting your wedding at the local beach club or on the sands of an exotic island, you'll want the best beach wedding dress. With thousands of dresses available from hundreds of designers, it's difficult to find the perfect beach wedding gown for you. We've done the legwork and narrowed it down to..

..the 15 best beach wedding dresses, available in Canada for 2010.

Beach Beauty

This gorgeous Maggie Sottero gown features a sweetheart neckline and a ruched bodice. This A-line chiffon wedding dress is accented with sparkling beads for a touch of glitz. Pull your hair up into a simple chignon and wear this beauty as you say your vows in the summer sun.

From the Alfred Sung Signature Collection, this stunning beach wedding dress has a deep v-neckline and jeweled empire waist. The chiffon skirt drapes beautifully. The same jewels that accent the waist also embellish the shoulder straps. With this Alfred Sung wedding dress, you can skip the shoes and sink your toes into the sand.

Seaside Sexy

Beach wedding dresses may be a bit more relaxed than their formal ballroom counterparts, but that doesn't mean they shouldn't be sexy. This gown from the Morilee Voyage Collection is perfect for a seaside affair. Whether you are getting married on cruise or on the beaches of Mexico, this sexy beach wedding dress is sure to be a hit.

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photo: brides.com

Got.. Paper?

idea: the Paper Jewels blog

For the past six months or so, we have been hearing lots about a new trend in wedding flowers - paper. Yes, in a bid to be both economical and crafty, many brides are embracing the paper flower trend full heartedly. Paper flowers have lots of advantages over their natural counterparts, for example:

1. they are long lasting with no possibility of wilting
2. they are affordable
3. they are available in any colour you could possibly imagine
4. they allow you to use your favourite bloom regardless of season
5. they are suitable for both casual and formal weddings

A "do-it-yourselfer's" dream, paper flower bouquets are easy to make by simply following the directions in a paper flower kit or by downloading a template. Creating your own paper floral will take you anywhere from 10 minutes per bouquet (if you are a true domestic diva) to one hour plus (if you are like most DIY first timers).

DIY crepe-paper poinsettias, from Martha Stweart

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Time and again, we are proudly reminded of how beautiful, elegant and creative so many Canadian weddings really are. The creator, Jennifer from her own Jennifer Bergman Weddings, describes one such event that took place in the heart of the Canadian Rockies, Jasper Alberta:

The setting of the Jasper Park Lodge is so spectacular that we kept things simple, so the focus would be on the natural beauty that surrounded the wedding. Rustic outdoor elements, such as branches and pinecones, were tied into every component of the wedding to carry through the theme.

Ceremony Details

Handmade by the Bride and her Bridesmaids, the ceremony programs were tied together with a small twig at the top.

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Edible favours are a fantastic way to thank your guests by tending to their sweet tooth. Cookies, chocolates and candies are always a hit and will not be left behind at the end of the night.

COOKIES

from personalized treats to decorated delights...

Marcies Cookies, West Vancouver

Personalized with your initials and your wedding's theme colours, these favours make a tasty yet attractive addition to any table.

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For the mother of the bride, her daughter's wedding day is full of emotion, pride, and duty and she'll want to dress in a manner that will honour the day without imposing on the bride's look. Here is a quick study guide on how a bride and her mother can go about choosing a dress for the second most important woman at the wedding: MOM.

Some Thoughts on Colour

Cameron Blake dress from Lockhart's Weddings & Special Occasions (New Brunswick)

A silvery blue hue is perfect for a mom. It works well with a multitude of colours from neutrals to blues to pinks and browns.

Montage #28908 from Bells & Bows Bridal Centre in Lethbridge, AB

Sage is a beautiful muted green tone that is understated and elegant. It works well with browns, bright greens, neutrals, silvers, rust, burnt orange, deep maroon.

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Today, we take yet another look at DIY stationery, this time the comprehensive, flexible and fun selection by the Uncommon Bride. Invitations, save-the-date cards and thank-you notes, all of which can be done in an easy and affordable manner from the comfort of your home.

The DIY Wedding Invitation Kit "Ava"
(from the Uncommon Bride)

DIY Invites, with just a little help

• Each kit comes with the all the necessary elements to create an unforgettable invitation,
• including invitation pockets and pre-made labels (if applicable),
• as well as envelopes and cardstock for printing
,
• a CD with both MS Word and MS PowerPoint templates,
• instructions and a completed sample to follow.

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Sometimes, turning your wedding planning visions into reality doesn't accommodate your pocketbook, especially in such economically trying times. Thankfully, being frugal and budget oriented does not mean taking away from the special details that will make your wedding unforgettable. Too, DIY is not always budget-driven creativity is important and getting-it-exactly-right as well.

Either way, do-it-yourself weddings are "in" and with so many couples embracing the DIY movement, we 're always busy helping you along the way with as many easy, affordable and practical ideas as we can collect. Today, more "do-it-yourself" centrepiece ideas that will impress even your most discerning of guests.

1. Glasses

Rent some large Martini glasses (or other glass vases) and fill them with either clear or coloured gel balls; add a small LED light or candle. Or, skip the candle and add flowers or seasonal fruit. There is a great discussion (with more examples) about this idea, on Jenberg's Pink Wedding blog.

source: eHow.com

Or simpler yet: find some large water goblets and place them upside down on your table with a flower inside each one, plus a small candle on the top:

source: "Easy Party Ideas" from Every Day with Rachel Ray

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© STEPH MacKinnon Photography, Wellington, NS

Miniature Metal Pails, perfect for DIY wedding favour containers,
from Prelude to a Kiss Wedding Specialists' online store.

It may still be only January but we, like many Canadians, just can't get spring and summer off our minds. Luckily, your spring wedding is really just around the corner; so, let's take a short leap ahead and look at some ideas to get you thinking about your spring wedding favours..

Favours are a natural place to start talking about spring items for your wedding because they are a must have item and since favour options are virtually endless, there is always lots to talk about. Also, favours often are helpful in adding an extra element of décor to your table setting, acting as part of the centerpiece or as the centerpiece itself. Mind you, regardless of how you choose to distribute or display your favours, spring, in all its glory, offers a launch pad of freshness and colour to all things wedding.

"When trying to decide what type of favours you want to have at your wedding, it may help to break them down into categories and choose from there based on your wedding's overall theme or your personal style."..

Spring Themed Favours

Since we are talking about spring favours, this is the logical first grouping. Choosing your favours based on season is an easy way to find the perfect item. Flowers, sunshine, and longer days are all things synonymous with spring..

Miniature Garden Shovel with Grass Green Handle, practical, "sustainable" and eco-friendly - perfect for a green wedding,
source: Creative Expressions Accessories

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© Laura Wilby, Nelson BC

Trash-the-Dress, BC-style!

Some gorgeous, playful and iconic trash-the-dress shots, by Nelson wedding photographer Laura Wilby. Both from 2009 weddings: Ang McIver in Grand Forks and Rocklene Jahnke in Christina Lake